Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Furneaux Islands, Upper Derwent Valley, South East, North East, East Coast, North West Coast, Central Plateau, Midlands and parts of Western and Central North Forecast Districts.

Issued at 11:06 pm Saturday, 30 November 2024.

Heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts over the north and east this evening, extending south during Sunday morning.

Weather Situation: A low pressure system will deepen as it moves south over Bass Strait during this evening, with an associated deep trough moving steadily south across Tasmania overnight Saturday into Sunday. A strong and very moist easterly wind flow will accompany this feature, leading to the risk of heavy to locally intense rainfall and damaging wind gusts. Conditions will generally ease following the passage of the trough, although some thunderstorm activity may persist.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for the North East and East Coast districts this evening, and may also spread west across northern Tasmania during this time period. Rainfall is forecast to extend to southwards during early Sunday with the trough as it moves southwards.

Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 and 60 mm are likely, with isolated amounts reaching 100 mm possible over the northeast and the east coast. LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible if thunderstorm activity does develop about the North East and East Coast, with six-hour totals potentially reaching 125 mm.

Rainfall will begin to ease in northern Tasmania early Sunday morning but not ease in the east or south until late Sunday morning.

Easterly winds with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS in excess of 80 km/h are likely over the North East and East Coast districts this evening, particularly about the coast and elevated terrain, but may also develop further westwards across northern Tasmania during this evening. Easterly winds with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS in excess of 80 km/h are also likely to extend about elevated terrain in central and southern Tasmania early Sunday morning.

Winds will ease below warning threshold late Sunday morning.

A Flood Watch and Flood Warnings are current, see http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Devonport, Burnie, Launceston, St Helens, Swansea, New Norfolk and Hobart.

Severe weather is no longer occurring in the King Island district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.

93 km/h wind gust was recorded at Cape Grim at 09:55 pm.

81 km/h wind gust was recorded at Burnie at 08:50 pm.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Supervise children closely.
* Check that family and neighbours are aware of warnings.
* Manage pets and livestock.
* Clear drains and gutters on premises prior to severe weather arriving.
* Do not walk, ride or drive through flood waters.
* Be prepared in case of power outages and report any outages to TasNetworks on 132 004.
* Secure outdoor items including furniture and play equipment.
* Beware of damaged trees and power lines and take care when driving.
* Listen to the ABC radio or check www.ses.tas.gov.au for further advice.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132500.